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Green Building
Reference Guide

ENERGY STAR
A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Strict energy efficiency guidelines have been set by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy for a product to be Energy Star certified. http://www.energystar.gov 

FSC --
Forest Stewardship Council. Forest certification enables consumers to make informed choices when selecting wood and other forest products. The Forest Stewardship Council, a 501(d)3 nonprofit organization, is the global and national leader in the independent certification of forests managed to exemplary standards covering environmental, social and economic issues. FSC promotes responsible forest management by evaluating and accrediting certifiers, by encouraging the development of national and regional forest management standards, and by providing public education and information about independent, third-party certification as a tool for ensuring that the worlds forests are protected for future generations. There are currently more than 23 million acres of FSC-certified forestland in the U.S. and more than 225 million acres globally. Approximately 16% of the worlds forests are certified according to FSCs standards, and this number is growing quickly. http://www.fscus.org

GBCI --
Green Building Certification Institute. GBCI is a newly incorporated entity established with the support of the US Green Building Council to administer credentialing programs related to green building practice and standards. GBCI was created to develop and administer credentialing programs, such as the LEED Accredited Professional program, aimed at improving green building practice. http://www.gbci.org 

GBI --
Green Building Initiative The Green Building Initiative (GBI) is a not for profit organization whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches for residential and commercial construction. http://www.thegbi.org

GEI --
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. GEI oversees/certifies low emitting products for improved indoor air quality. The GREENGUARD Standard for Children & Schools sets rigorous product emission criteria for manufacturers of building materials, furnishings, finishes and cleaning products. http://www.greenguard.org

Green Globes
The Green Globes system is a revolutionary building environmental design and management tool. It delivers an online assessment protocol, rating system and guidance for green building design, operation and management. It is interactive, flexible and affordable, and provides market recognition of a buildings environmental attributes through third-party verification. In the USA, Green Globes is owned and operated by the Green Building Initiative (GBI). http://www.greenglobes.com 

LEED
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. http://www.gbci.org

NAHB
Green Building Guidelines. NAHB's voluntary Model Green Home Building Guidelines are designed to be a tool kit for the individual builder looking to engage in green building practices and home builder associations (HBAs) looking to launch their own local green building programs. Since their debut in 2005, the Guidelines have helped move environmentally friendly home building concepts further into the mainstream marketplace. http://www.nahb.org

SCS --
Scientific Certified Systems. Certifies for recovered content and is an independent third party certification agency that certifies recovered fiber content through detailed assessment of material acquisition records and manufacturing processes. It is acquisition and use of at least 40% recycled material in a finished product. http://www.scscertified.com

SFI -
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Sustainable Forestry Initiative is one of the world's largest sustainable forest programs, encompassing more than 135 million acres of land in North America. SFI protects the economic, environmental and social needs of our forests and communities; educates landowners and loggers in sustainable forestry practices; and is the only U.S. program endorsed recognized by the PEFC. http://www.sfiprogram.org

 SmartWood Certification
The approval by the FSC for responsible forest management practices that promote sustainability and result in long-term economic and environmental benefits. http://www.ra-smartwood.org 

TVOCs
Total volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde, total aldehydes and other volatile organic compounds.

USGBC --
US Green Building Council. The US Green Building Council, a 501(s)3 nonprofit organization, is a community of more than 7,500 organizations from every sector of the building industry united by a common purpose: to transform the building marketplace to sustainability. There are seventy-five regional chapters serving as the front door of the Council to provide green building resources, education, and leadership opportunity. They operate with an elected Board of Directors to guide the Councils strategic direction and focus. http://www.usgbc.org

VOCs --
Volatile Organic Compounds. Using water-based adhesives, stains, and ultraviolet-cured topcoats prevents the release of VOCs into the atmosphere which also helps achieve LEED credits under indoor air quality criteria.